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AD Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

Federal Register Information

[Federal Register: April 6, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 65)]
[Page 17349-17351]

Header Information
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20872; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-271-AD]

RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Learjet Model 23, 24, 24A, 24B, 24B-A, 24C, 24D,
24D-A, 24E, 24F, 24F-A, 25, 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D, 25F, 28, 29, 31, 31A, 35, 35A
(C-21A), and 36 Airplanes

Preamble Information
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Learjet Model 23, 24, 24A, 24B, 24B-A, 24C, 24D, 24D-A, 24E, 24F,
24F-A, 25, 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D, 25F, 28, 29, 31, 31A, 35, 35A (C-21A), and 36
airplanes. This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection of the center
ball of the aileron control cable or cables for a defective swage, and corrective
actions if necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by a report indicating that an
aileron cable failed on one affected airplane when the cable underwent a tension
check. We are proposing this AD to prevent severe weakening of the aileron
cable, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 23, 2005.

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ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on this

proposed AD.

DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow the instructions for
sending your comments electronically.

Government-wide rulemaking web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and

follow the instructions for sending your comments electronically.

Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400

Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590.

By fax: (202) 493-2251.

Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400
Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.

For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact Learjet, Inc., One
Learjet Way, Wichita, Kansas 67209-2942.

You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at

http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S.
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, on the
plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC. This docket number is
FAA-2005-20872; the directorate identifier for this docket is 2004-NM-271-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Hirt, Aerospace Engineer,

Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification
Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas
67209; telephone (316) 946-4156; fax (316) 946-4107.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or arguments regarding
this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES.
Include "Docket No. FAA-2005-20872; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-271-AD" in
the subject line of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We
will consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of those comments.

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We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov ,

including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report
summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA personnel concerning this
proposed AD. Using the search function of that website, anyone can find and read
the comments in any of our dockets, including the name of the individual who sent
the comment (or signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor
union, etc.). You can review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you can visit
http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person

at the Docket Management Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Management Facility office
(telephone (800) 647- 5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at
the DOT street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

We have received a report indicating that an aileron cable failed on a Learjet

Model 35A (C-21A) airplane when the cable underwent a tension check while
being installed. Further investigation showed that an over-sized ball was swaged
onto the cable during manufacture. Swaging an over-sized ball onto a cable
allows excess material into the swaging die, which causes the ball to over-swage
and then sever the cable strands. This condition, if not corrected, could result in
severe weakening of the aileron cable, and consequent reduced controllability of
the airplane.

The subject area on Learjet Model 23, 24, 24A, 24B, 24B-A, 24C, 24D, 24D-A,
24E, 24F, 24F-A, 25, 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D, 25F, 28, 29, 31, 31A, 35, and 36
airplanes is identical to those on the affected Model 35A (C-21A) airplane.
Therefore, all these airplanes may be subject to the same unsafe condition.

Relevant Service Information

We have reviewed the Learjet service bulletins in the following table.

Learjet Service Bulletins

Alert service bulletin Date Model

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A23/24/25–27–17 December 23, 2002 23, 24, 24A, 24B,

24B–A, 24C, 24D,
24D–A, 24E, 24F,
24F–A, 25, 25A, 25B,
25C,
25D, and 25F.
A28/29-27-24 December 23, 2002 28 and 29.
A31–27–25 . December 23, 2002 31 and 31A.
A35/36–27–42 December 23, 2002 35, 35A (C–21A), and
36.

These service bulletins describe procedures for visually inspecting the center ball
of the aileron control cable or cables for a defective swage, which includes an
extruded shoulder and/or face deformation. If the inspection shows a defective
swage, the service bulletins describe procedures for, among other actions,
replacing the aileron cable with a new cable. The service bulletins also request
that operators send to the manufacturer all defective parts, and a report indicating
compliance with the applicable service bulletin. Accomplishing the actions
specified in the service information is intended to adequately address the unsafe
condition.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an unsafe condition

that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes of this same type design.
Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require accomplishing the
actions specified in the service information described previously, except as
discussed under "Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service
Bulletins."

Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service Bulletins

Operators should note that, although the Accomplishment Instructions of the

referenced service bulletin describe procedures for submitting a report showing
compliance with the service bulletin and for returning any discrepant parts to the
manufacturer, this proposed AD would not require those actions.

The service bulletins recommend that operators accomplish the actions "as soon
as possible" within 10 flight hours after receiving the applicable service bulletin.
This proposed AD would require that operators accomplish the actions within 100
flight hours, or 90 days after the effective date of the proposed AD, whichever
occurs first. We find that the proposed compliance time addresses the unsafe
condition soon enough to maintain an adequate level of safety for the affected
fleet. In developing an appropriate compliance time for this AD we considered the

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degree of urgency associated with addressing the unsafe condition, and the
maximum interval of time allowable for all affected airplanes to continue to
operate without compromising safety.

Clarification of Inspection Language

The service bulletins describe procedures for "visually inspecting" the center ball
of the aileron control cable or cables. In this proposed AD we refer to this
inspection as a "detailed inspection." Note 1 of this proposed AD defines this
inspection.

Costs of Compliance

There are about 1,704 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. This
proposed AD would affect about 1,136 airplanes of U.S. registry. The proposed
inspection would take about 1 work hour per airplane, at an average labor rate of
$65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the proposed
AD for U.S. operators is $73,840, or $65 per airplane.

Authority for This Rulemaking

Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to issue rules on
aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the authority of the FAA
Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope
of the Agency's authority.

We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in Subtitle VII, Part
A, Subpart III, Section 44701, "General requirements." Under that section,
Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air
commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the
Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely
to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism

implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not have a
substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national
Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities
among the various levels of government.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed regulation:

1. Is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866;

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2. Is not a "significant rule" under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures
(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and

3. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a

substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility
Act.

We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this

proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the
regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Regulatory Information
The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA

proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):

Learjet: Docket No. FAA-2005-20872; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM- 271-AD.

Comments Due Date

(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive comments on this AD
action by May 23, 2005.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

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Applicability

(c) This AD applies to Learjet Model 23, 24, 24A, 24B, 24B-A, 24C, 24D, 24D-A,
24E, 24F, 24F-A, 25, 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D, 25F, 28, 29, 31, 31A, 35, 35A (C-21A),
and 36 airplanes; certificated in any category; as identified in the Learjet alert
service bulletins in Table 1 of this AD.

Table 1.--Learjet Service Bulletins

Alert service bulletin Date Model

A23/24/25–27–17 December 23, 2002 23, 24, 24A, 24B,
24B–A, 24C, 24D,
24D–A, 24E, 24F,
24F–A, 25, 25A, 25B,
25C,
25D, and 25F.
A28/29–27–24 December 23, 2002 28 and 29.
A31–27–25 December 23, 2002 31 and 31A.
A35/36–27–42 December 23, 2002 35, 35A (C–21A), and
36.

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD was prompted by a report indicating that an aileron cable failed on
one affected airplane when the cable underwent a tension check. We are issuing
this AD to prevent severe weakening of the aileron cable, and consequent
reduced controllability of the airplane.

Compliance

(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed
within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been
done.

Inspection and Corrective Action

(f) Within 100 flight hours, or 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs first: Do a detailed inspection of the center ball of the aileron control cable
or cables for a defective swage, and before further flight replace any damaged or
defective cable with a new cable. Unless otherwise specified in this AD, do all
actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable
service bulletin in Table 1 of this AD.

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Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: "An intensive
examination of a specific item, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure,
or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of
good lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as mirror,
magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning and elaborate
procedures may be required."

Parts Installation

(g) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install on any airplane an
aileron control cable unless it has been inspected in accordance with paragraph
(f) of this AD.

No Reporting or Parts Return Requirement

(h) Although the service bulletins in Table 1 of this AD have procedures for
submitting a report showing compliance with the applicable service bulletin and
for returning any discrepant parts to the manufacturer, this AD does not include
those requirements.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(i) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the authority
to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures
found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Footer Information
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 25, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-6767 Filed 4-5-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Comments

Not Applicable

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